How the factory did power steering in early Jtrucks

[carnuck]

This is what they did till '73 AFAIK. It moves the box forward and down at the same time.

[Stuka]

Thats actually the second way. The first model FSJ's used a bell crank setup, so the steering back was back by the cab. And I may be wrong, but pretty sure power steering was an option on those trucks.

[Tad]

Thats actually the second way. The first model FSJ's used a bell crank setup, so the steering back was back by the cab. And I may be wrong, but pretty sure power steering was an option on those trucks.

That's the older Ross bellcrank setup, holdover from the Willys days.
Owned several Willys, never had PS as an option that I am aware of.
AA had a kit back then that pretty much did what that bracket does, used it on my '51 truck with a Scout II axle, pricey then and it was weld on.

[44bz]

So my 68 originally had a manual steering setup and power steering was one of the first mods I did. I got a Saginaw box out of a 66 or 67 Wag with 327 and bolted it to the frame, not knowing there was an OEM bracket for the steering gear. I've since added an aftermarket column and shaft, and don't have any problems with the steering. Is there an advantage to having that bracket on the frame? What is the point of moving the PS gear lower and over?

[carnuck]

I'm not sure. I just know that is the only way the 4 bolt "76" box fits.

[FSJunkie]

I believe power assist on the ross steering was accomplished through a hydraulic ram.

[tgreese]

According to joe on IFSJA - "... they used essentially the original Ross box with some fancy linkage, a Bendix external mounted control valve, Bendix power cylinder(looks like a steering shock) and a Thompson hyd pump. Pretty goofy looking lash up..."

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=26616

So yes, apparently the Ross steering had added external parts to give power steering, using a power cylinder aka hydraulic ram.

[mud89]

Sure it was an option
The TSM says that the set up included a bellcrank, Ross steering gear, Thompson pump, Bendix power cylinder and a control valve

[Tad]

Interesting, glad to learn something new.

[Stuka]

Ahh, so it was like what Ford put on mustangs. Hydro assist for the most part. I was pretty sure it was an option, but did not know what the mechanical side was like.


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[66stepside]

I believe power assist on the ross steering was accomplished through a hydraulic ram.

That's what I have seen. There's a ps pump on the engine and there's a ram style assist from the axle to the one of the steering rods. I might have pics of a 63 waggie I had with that set up.

The factory ps box plate does not bolt directly on to the early truck frames. I have tried. Two holes bolt directly on, but the other two do not line up. Could there be more than one style of the factory plates?

Here's what I have:

[Tad]

Same part number as the one that was on my '72 J2000.
Pre-'70 I don't think all the holes line up either.

[66stepside]

My 66 came with power steering and I swapped in a gear box with a better turning ratio. The new gear box bolted right up to the factory spot.

I wonder if it's the 65 and older rigs that need "slight" modifications for power steering up-grades?

Meanwhile, I was doing some early spring cleaning in the shop today, hanging cabinets, painting and hanging up the old TV and came across this:



I was hoping to see a pic of the early PS set up, but this is all it had:

[carnuck]

One of the plates I had was bolted into my ex-roommate's Jtruck with 327/4 speed no prob.